A Recap of Season One of ‘Babylon Berlin’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Volker Bruch as Inspector Gereon Rath in Season 1 of ‘Babylon Berlin’. (Photo Courtesy of MHz Choice.)

It really is quite amazing how people view history in the 21st Century. For there are some who wish to deny what has come before, and there are so many who simply don’t care about what happened yesterday. And there are of course, so many of us, that still don’t have the complete picture and/or have our own assumptions and generic understanding of the world that came before us. Simply because we only value history to a certain extent and pick and choose what parts of it should matter to us. But we should in fact, learn as much of it as possible. For to do so will inform us about how best to not repeat old mistakes and help us to learn how some things really haven’t changed with the times.
​
Which in turn will enrich us and help us to grow and oddly enough, entertainment can help with that. Which may sound silly… but books, films, television, they all can be tools and aids and can motivate us to seek out more about a particular era and well, the importance of yesterday and entertainment’s role in helping us learn about such matters is top of mind today… simply because we here at NTG have stumbled upon a series we should have viewed years ago. For Babylon Berlin on MHz Choice is that rare show that explores the rawness of humanity, and its cyclical nature, while also teaching us about history and how best to not repeat it and its first season accomplishes such feats in quite the incredible manner.

All by dropping us into 1929 Berlin, at the edge of the roaring twenties and in the midst of a wild time in Germany’s history. For obviously, in ten years’ time the nation will become the focus of the world when it invades Poland and plunges the planet into the Second World War, one led by a sad little man with hate in his heart. But before we get there, the opening chapter of this story, deeply explores how a Germany eleven years removed from World War I was a place of unrest and unease. Where security is not quite at its finest as evidenced by the dark forces looming in this tale with dreams of power and of flexing strength. Which gives rise to a fine history lesson on how unrest finds root and can build into the fear that will be taken full advantage of.

Not to mention, this story also explores a world nowhere near as open as it is now, since the core introductions to the characters that drive this story, Inspector Gereon Rath and Charlotte Ritter, revolve around sex and our odd struggles with being open about it as a culture period. Which at times echoes our world and feels familiar, and really… those echoes, and those characters are what allow for season one to shine. For actors Volker Bruch (Rath) and Liv Lisa Fries (Charlotte) bring a wonderful honesty to their roles that helps us connect to them as we immerse ourselves into their world and that honesty allows for us to see a world that does resemble our own. Since Charlotte is just doing her best to get by and enjoy life and Rath has much pain to overcome from the darkness of the world he’s seen.

Which genuinely speaks to the cyclical nature of our world since soldiers still work to overcome their fight a la Rath and people are still fighting to get by and find joy, and of course… unrest exists in our world and people that feel they can do it better are fighting to take charge, which makes this first season… something special. For it is poignant, powerful, and truly a fascinating look into a world that only seems different because of a lack of technology and connectivity. But is bound to present day through the very emotional moments our heroes endure and that makes for one compelling season of storytelling. One that offers so much to those who tune in, and truly… it will be fascinating to see Rath and Charlotte grow in a world that is on the brink of disaster as this incredible story continues along. Until next time.

---

Watch ‘Babylon Berlin’

Powered by JustWatch